Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you burn with love for me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my lambs,” Jesus said.

Knowledge puffs up while love builds up! Knowledge is important to feed the sheep, the followers of Christ, and the apostle Paul commanded his spiritual son pastor Timothy to study the word of God very close to show himself approved. But I believe love is the cornerstone for mentoring and pastoring. 

Jesus didn’t request from Peter to have knowledge first to feed his sheep, rather he was establishing the true heart behind it, neither did the Lord ask Peter, the apostle, and pastor to be if he loves his sheep, interesting right? Jesus asked Peter if he loves the owner of the sheep!

Loving the Lord is your authoritative license to feed his sheep. Why? Maybe because the sheep bite and at some point, you can throw the towel and leave and Moses is a good example of this struggle. Loving the Lord is ETERNAL and will keep you standing your ground to give him the rewards of his suffering. Doesn’t look bad if Jesus saved us, his precious souls, but couldn’t keep and nurture us after that glorious salvation? As much as the Lord wants to save you, he wants to build you up. As much as God needs evangelists, he desperately needs pastors and mentors. God always looks after the whole process and you have a part to fit. 

“The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet he cared for him.” Hosea 12:13 (Salvation & Caring)

Today, Holy Spirit is releasing his oil/anointing for you to mentor others in the things of the Lord and to make the King known to them. Having life coaching certificates, and prophetic degrees, and training, is all good and needed, go for it, invest as much as you can in this direction, BUT DO YOU LOVE THE LORD? … Feed his sheep.

Tony Francis